Variable fountain ink supply for presses



. Iu'ne 2,1942. v o. c. ROESEN 2,285,052

VARIABLE FOUNTAIN INK S UPPLY'FOR PRESSES Filed July 11, 1941 I 4Sheets- Sheeti L10 9 I 6 i I \F w RAM June 2, 1942. o. c. ROESEN2,285,052

VARIABLE FOUNTAIN INK SUPPLY FOR VIREISSES V Filed July 11, I941 4Sheets-Sheet 2 June 2, 1942., o. c. ROESEN VARIABLE FOUNTAIN INK SUPPLYFOR PRESS ES Filed July -11, 1941. 4 Sheets-Sheet s June 2, 1 0. c.ROESEN 5 VARIABLE FOUNTAIN INK SUPPLY FOR PRESSES Filed July 11, 1941 4Sheets-Sheet 4 r l I l l l I I l I l I I I l I l l I Patented June 2,1942 VARIABLE FOUNTAIN INK SUPPLY FOR PRESSES Oscar C. Roesen,Scarsdale, N. Y., assignor to Machinery Corporation, Plainfield, N. J.,a. corporation of Virginia,

Application July 11, 1941, Serial No. 402,010

Wood Newspaper Claims. 01. l01350) This invention consists in certainimprovements in a speed variable fountain ink supply for regulating thedistribution of ink in roller cylinder printing presses, particularly ofthe type of newspaper printing presses employing the v ductor roll typeof ink motion.

It is a well known fact that inking mechanisms and particularly thoseemploying a ductor roll to transfer ink from a relatively slow runningfountain roll to a relatively fast running ink roll in the train ofinking rollers will transfer less ink per printed page when the press isrunning at a reduced speed and gradually transfer more ink as the pressaccelerates to its normal and higher running speed. Obviously thisresults in a light printed page during the reduced speed of the presswhich naturally must press. i 4

Numerous theories have been advanced to exthe basic principles of avariable speed fountain roll and ductor cycle but also in combina-- tionwith manual and automatic control means i which in turn operate inproper relation to press speed by such regulating means as a centrifugalgovernor or an electromotive positioning mechanism operating from thevariable speed controller of the press main drive motor.

An object of my invention is to compensate for changes in speed of theprinting operation and the resultant variation in the amount of inksupplied so that regardless of such variations and speed, a uniformamount of ink will be distributed upon the printing cylinder and thusinsure printing with uniform intensity.

A further object of my invention is to make this adjustment possibleregardless of whether it is done through the manual agency of thepressman or alternatively by means intercon- A further object of myinvention is to adapt the well known and conventional type of variabletransmission sets for the manual or autoplain this variation in color ofprinted page over the speed range of press, but the premise with thespeed of the press, thereby picking up a greater amount of ink at thehigher speed due matic adjustment of the inking operation.

Other objects of my invention. will be readily apparent from thefollowing description'of the preferred form of my invention asillustrated by way of example on the accompanying drawings in which i'trol of the variable speed transmission interconto the increased wipingaction ofductorvroll in contact with the fountain roll. From the aboveit has beenconcluded and also substantiated by press will compensate forthe variation in the wiping effect of the ductor roller and consequentlymaintain an approximately uniform ink distribution regardless of thepress speed. Imparting the required variable speed to the fountain rollis readily accomplished by suitable drive mechanism which lends itselfreadily to both manual and automatic control and the purpose theprinting-surface. To carry out'this purpose and scope of this inventionembraces not only Fig. 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, of aprinting press'showing thevariable speed supply means for the roller ofthe inking fountain;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section of the ink supply rollertrain taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1; a

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the variable speed ink supply under manualcontrol;

Fig. 4 is. a side elevation of an electrical connected with the mainvpress drive control;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the variable fountain ink supplycontrolled by a centrifugal governor and speed transmission and thepress rolls, and

Fig. 6 is an end view of the same.

In its broad aspects the invention provides for adjusting the frequencyof transfer of ink by a ductor roll from a fountain roll .to a lower inkdrum to compensate for irregularity of feed due to speed and to maintaina uniform transfer of ink to the ink drum and, therefore, to

I have interposed a variable speed transmission interconnection betweenvariable set in the train of gearing running from the lower ink drum tothe fountain roll and thus indirectly to the ductor roll. In this way itis possible to vary the functioning of the ductor roll with respect tothe lower ink drum. This will insure that the latter at all times andregardless of speed of the printing press will transfer a uniform amountof the ink. It may be added at this point in accordance with theobservations made and the theories stated above the rate of functioningof the ductor roll, i. e., its speed should become less as the speed ofthe printing increases. I have referred to this function as an inversevariation without limiting,

end of the roll 8 carries a connecting gear ll.

This gear is in mesh with a corresponding gear l2 keyed on the end ofthe shaft I3 of the plate cylinder l4.

On the opposite end of the shaft I3 there is a gear l5.v This gear is inmesh with an idler I6 which in turn engages gear I! of the customary inkdrum [8. I

A second idler l9 transmits powerfrom the gear IT to a gear 20 which iskeyed on the shaft of the lower ink drum 2|. The train of gears l5, l6,l1, I9 and 20 thus form a source of power from the printing press to thelower ink drum 2!.

The opposite end of the lower ink drum shaft has keyed to it a pinion 22which is in engagement with the gear 23 fixed on a shaft 24. Shaft 24also carries a pinion 25 in mesh with the gear 26 on the sleeve 21. Thesleeve 2'! is loosely journalled upon the shaft 28 which in turn iscarried in bearings on the frame I.

The sleeve 21 has a sprocket 29 which is connected by means of chain 39to an input sprocket 3| which forms part of a variable speedtransmission set 32.

The variable speed transmission set 32 is of the ordinary well knowntype which converts the power received from the chain to an output powerof a different speed. The speed of the output may be adjusted, varied orcontrolled in the usual manner.

The output sprocket 33 connects by means of chain 34 with a sprocket 35fast upon the shaft 28. At its inner end shaft 28 carries a fixed pinionThis pinion is in mesh with the gear 31 keyed on the shaft 380i afountain roll 39.

A ductor roll 42 is journalled at opposite ends in bearings in rock arms4!, 4|. Rock arms 4!,

4| are fixed at their ends to a rock shaft 42 (Fig.

Also fixed to the rock shaft 42 is a pair of 2). levers 43, 43. Thefree'ends of the levers 43 are pivotally connected to spring rods 44which extend through lugs 45 on the frame. An expansive coil spring 46maintains each spring rod 44 and the corresponding lever 43 in itsdownward limit of motion except when lifted by the operating cam.

At mid-points on the levers 43 there are cam rollers 41. These camrollers travel on the periphery of cams 48 which are keyed to the shaft38 of the fountain.

' It will be evident that as the fountain roll 39 is rotated the cams 48will cause the lever arms 43 to rise and fall. This resultsin the ductorroll leaving its contact with the surface of the fountain roll andcoming up into contact with he lower ink drum. One such contact is madefor each revolution of the fountain roll regardless of the speed of thelatter or the printing press of which it is a part.

To compensate for changes in speed of the printing press and to renderuniform the transfer of ink from the fountain roll to the lower ink drumby means of the ductor roll, I have interposed the variable speedtransmission set 32. The variation in speed effected by the transmissionset can be adjusted in one of several satisfactory ways.

In Fig. 3 the adjustment is shown manually. A shifter shaft 49 forming apart of the transmission set 32 carries a sprocket 50. This sprocket isconnected by means of chain 5! to a hand wheel 52 conveniently supportedat the proper level of the printing press structure. An indicating dial53 assists in determining the position found most effective at the knownspeed.

Variation in speed of the output of the transmission set 32 may also becontrolled automaticallyin any one of a number of ways. In Fig. 4, Ihave shown parts of a printing press controlled by a main press controlpanel 54. A controller contact arm 55 is connected by worm and gear tothe shaft 58 of a positioning actuator 51.

Electrical connections 58 from the postioning actuator Fa! operate apostioning motor 59. By means ofsprocket 6E] and chain 6| the desiredadjustment sprocket and the shifting shaft 49 is carried out.

A still further method of automatic control is shown in Figs. 5 and 6wherein the shifting shaft of the transmission set is controlled by acentrifugal governor actuated by the input. The chain 39. running fromthe sprocket 29 is extended around a second sprocket B2 on a freelyrotatable shaft 63. This shaft 63 has a free running collar 64 connectedto sprocket 62 by means of a series of fly-balls 65. The shifting shaft49 .has a yoke 66 with anti-friction members 6?, running in the groove68 of the collar 64.

By increase in speed the fly balls 65 of the governor extendcentrifugally drawing the collar 64 inward toward the sprocket 62. Thiscauses the shifting shaft 49 to reduce the speed of the output from thetransmission 32.

Operation of the arrangement above described will be readily understood.Power from the shaft iii of the printing press is indirectly deliveredfrom the shaft of the lower ink drum 2i. From there the power isdelivered through the transmission set 32 at variable speeds to shaft 28and theassociated mechanism of the fountain roll 39 and the ductor roll49. In this way the velocity of action by the ductor roll is variedrelatively to the speed of the lower ink drum 2|.

, This compensating variation in speed of inking is adjustable to thetransmission set 32 manually by means of the hand wheel 52 andassociated parts.

Where it is desired to interconnect the main press control with thisvariable ink supply means, it may be done either electrically as shownby the device illustrated in Fig. 4 or purely mechanically by means ofthe centrifugal governor illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. In eithermodification the input of the transmission set is translated to anoutput of adjusted speed automatically by thejmovement of the printingpress.

As previously stated this compensation for variation in the inking feedwill generally be in an inverse direction to the speed of the mainpress. In other words, the contact of the ductor roll with the lower inkdrum will be more frequent at lower speeds than at higher speeds.

While I have expressly illustrated the preferred form of my invention,it is to be understood that many changes may be made in size, proportionand, specific details without departing from the spirit of the inventionand its scope as defined in the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with an ink drum, a fountain roll and a ductor rolltherebetween, of means for varying the contact of the ductor roll withthe ink drum comprising :a variable speed transmission unit, gearingfrom the ink drum to the said unit, gearing from the unit to thefountain roll, means for actuating the ductor roll from the fountainroll and means for varying the ratio of speed through the saidtransmission unit.

2. The combination with an ink drum, a fountain roll and a ductor rolltherebetween, of means for varying the contact of the ductor roll withthe ink drum comprising a variable speed transmission unit, gearing fromthe ink drum to the said unit, gearing from the unit to the fountainroll, means for actuating the ductor roll from the fountain roll andmeans for varying the ratio of speed through the said transmission unitinversely with the speed of the ink drum.

3. The combination with an ink drum, a founfor varying the contact ofthe ductor roll with the ink drum comprising a variable speedtransmission unit, gearing from the ink drum to the said unit, gearingfrom the unit to the fountain roll, means for actuating the ductor rollfrom the fountain roll and automatic means for varying the ratio ofspeed through the said transmission unit inversely with the speed of theink drum.

5. The combination with an ink drum, a fountain roll and a ductor rolltherebetween, of means for varying the contact of the ductor roll withthe ink drum comprising a variable speed transmission unit, gearing fromthe ink drum to the said unit, gearing from the unit to the fountainroll, means for actuating the ductor roll from the fountain roll andmanual means for varying the ratio of speed through the saidtransmission unit.

6. The combination with a power driven cylinder printing press having apower control, an ink drum, a fountain roll and a ductor rolltherebetween, of means for varying the contact of the ductor roll withthe ink drum comprising a variable speed transmission unit, gearing fromthe unit to the fountain roll, means for actuating the ductor roll fromthe fountain roll and means interconnected with said power control forvarying the ratio of speed through the said transmission unit.

'7. The combination with a power driven cylinder .printing press havinga power control, an ink drum, a fountain roll and a ductor roll thereactuating the ductor roll from the fountain roll.

ductor roll from the fountain roll and an elec'- trically operated.shifting mechanism connected with said power control for varying theratio of speed through the said transmission unit.

8. The combination with an ink drum, a fountain roll and a ductor rolltherebetween, of means for varying the contact of the ductor roll withthe ink drum comprising a variable speed transmission unit having ashiftable control, gearing from the ink drum to the said unit, acentrifugal governor operated by the said gearing, said governoractuating the shiftable control, gearing from the unit to the fountainroll and means for mission unit having a shiftable control, gearing fromthe ink drum to the said unit, a centrifugal governor operated by saidgearing, said governor actuating the shiftable control to vary thetransmitted speed inversely with the speed'of the ink drum, gearing fromthe unit to the fountain roll and means for actuating the ductor rollfrom the fountain roll.

10. The combination with an ink drum, 'afountain roll and a ductor rolltherebetween, of means for varying the contact of the ductor roll withthe ink drum comprising a variable speed transmission unit having aspeed adjusting control shaft, gearing from the ink drum to the saidcontrol shaft, gearing from the unit to the fountain roll, means foractuating the ductor roll from the fountain roll, and means connected tothe control shaft for varying the transmitted speed.

11. The combination with an ink drum, a fountain roll and a ductor rolltherebetween, of

means for varying the contact of the ductor roll with the ink drumcomprising a variable speed transmission unit having a speed adjustingcontrol shaft, gearing from the ink drum to the said control shaft,gearing from the unit to the fountain roll, means for actuating theductor roll from the fountain roll, and manual means connected to thecontrol shaft for varying the transmitted speed.

12. The combination with an ink drum, a fountain roll and a ductor rolltherebetween, of means for varying the contact of the ductor roll withthe ink drum comprising a variable speed transmission unit having aspeed adjusting control shaft, gearing from the ink drum to the saidcontrol shaft, gearing from the unit to the fountain roll, means foractuating the ductor roll from the fountain roll, and automatic meansconnected to the control shaft for varying the transmitted speed.

13. The combination with an ink drum, a fountain roll and a ductor rolltherebetween, of means for varying the contact of the ductor roll withthe ink drum comprising a variable speed transmission unit having aspeed adjusting control shaft, gearing from the ink drum to the saidcontrol shaft,gearing from the unit to the fountain roll, means foractuating the ductor roll from the fountain roll, and electricallyoperated means connected to the control shaft for varyfountain roll anda ductor r011 therebetween, of means for varying the contact of theductor roll with the ink drum comprising a variable speed transmissionunit, gearing from the ink drum to the said unit, gearing from the unitto the fountain r011, means for actuating the ductor roll in proportionto the speed of the fountain roll, and means for varying the ratio ofspeed through the said transmission unit.

OSCAR C. ROESEN.

